Cover for beer cases



A* sept. 15, 1936.

C. N. McGEE COVER FOR BEER CASES Filed July 29, 1935 A 15W JQ BNI-may INVENTOR ATTOR N EY Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in covers or lids for boxes, particularly beer crates and the primary object thereof is to provide a light weight cover and cover securing means for such cases which will not materially increase shipping rates for the cases and which will adequately protect the bottled goods against being spoiled by exposure to light rays.

Another object is to provide a tear-off cover or lid and cover securing means for the purposes above set forth adapted for interlocking relation to close the top and the usual hand grip slots in the ends of the case, and which may be quickly and securely positioned in such relation in beer cases of standard construction.

Other objects such as simplicity in construction and relatively low cost of manufacture are also comprehended by my invention, all of which will presently appear when the following description and claims are read with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing, Figure 1 is a View in vertical longitudinal section of a beer case equipped with my improved cover and securing means therefor.

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in top plan with the cover removed and Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the securing means.

Referring to the drawing I designates the usual beer case comprising a bottom 2, sides 3, ends 4 provided with hand grip slots 5, and pockets 6 for the bottles 1.

The cover of my invention comprises a flat top 8 having downturned end flanges 9' and of a size to t snugly within the case I, thev end iiaps 9 being of the proper size to cover the slots 5 and preferably having oblique side edges I0 for facilitating insertion of the cover in the case I. The cover is formed of a single piece of cardboard or like material adapted to be readily torn and impervious to light rays. The securing means for the cover comprises a pair of substantially Ushaped members II secured in the case I to the end walls 4, respectively, as by staples I2, and having upright legs I3 terminating at their upper ends in outwardly projecting hooks I4 having downturned sharp bills I5. The members II are preferably formed from a single piece of resilient wire and the legs I3 are coiled upon themselves at a suitable point below the hooks I4 to provide coil spring portions I5 tensioning the hooks I4 for movement against the end Walls 4 whereby when the flanges 9 of thecover are forced down between thehooks I4 and the end walls 4, said hooks will bite into said flanges and interlock with said cover. The height of the legs I3 is such that the hooks I4 function as supports for the top,8 of the cover limiting downward movement of the latter in the case I.

In applying the cover it is merely necessary 5 to force the flanges 9 thereof downwardly between said hooks I4 and ends 4 of the case I until the top 8 of the cover abuts said hooks. To remove the cover the same is torn off the flanges 9, whereby the hooks I4 are accessible and may be inwardly exed to remove the portions of the cover held thereby.

As will be seen the described cover and secur ing means effectively seal the case against light rays, their weight is negligible and they may be applied to any beer case, or other box, with a minimum expenditure of time and labor. Another advantage is that the securing means in no way interfere with filling or emptying the case or box to which said means are attached.

The foregoing is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of my invention but it is to be undertood that right is herein reserved to modifications of details described falling Within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. A lid and lid securing means for use with a beer case having hand grip slots in the ends thereof and comprising, a flat top lid adapted to. t into said case and having downturned end flanges designed to fit against the inner walls of said ends, respectively, and a pair of U-shaped lid securing members attached to said inner walls, respectively, and each comprising upright legs terminating at their upper ends in outwardly turned hooks having sharp downturned bills adapted to engage said flanges, said legs being resilient whereby said bills are caused to bite into and to interlock with said flanges to prevent removal of said lid, said hooks supporting said cover thereon and said flanges overlying and closing said hand grip slots.

2. A lid and lid securing means for use with a beer case and comprising, a at top lid adapted to t into said case and having downturned end flanges designed to fit against the inner walls of the ends of said case, respectively, and a pair of U-shapedrlid securing members attached to said inner walls, respectively, said members comprising upright legs of resilient wire terminating at their upper ends in outwardly turned hooks having downturned sharp bills adapted to engage said flanges, each leg being coiled upon itself below the hook thereon to form a coil spring for urging the hook thereon outwardly, whereby said hooks are caused to bite into and interlock with said flanges to thereby retain the lid in place.

CLIFFORD `NADAND MCGEE. 

